1. Simone Biles shattered already sky-high expectations

She was the first American woman to win gold in the vault individual event. This girl wonder also took home gold in team all-around, floor exercise and individual all-around with a fifth medal, bronze, in beam. Talk about crushing the competition. Simone is now the most decorated female USA gymnast of all time.

2. Simone Manuel was the first black female swimmer to medal in an individual Olympic event

First of all, Simone Manuel is an absolute champion and brought home gold in the Women’s 100 meter freestyle swimming race in Rio de Janeiro. Second, she has now become an international symbol for social injustice. Not too long ago, pools were segregated and as few as six years ago over half of black people said they did not know how to swim. Manuel’s accomplishment speaks volumes for a cause that is beyond her incredible day in Rio.

3. Shaunae Miller’s dive to Olympic victory in the 400m and Allyson's Felix's Historic Moment

Shaunae Miller (Bahamas) competed against American Olympic favorite Allyson Felix (USA) in the 400 meter race. Although Felix has previously focused on the 200-meter event, her recent injury prevented her speed work for the season. Felix desperately hoped that she could use her 4x400 skills and bring them to the event. Miller left it all on the track and lost control of her legs at the finish line — diving over the line. In a photo finish, Miller won the race and inspired her entire country. Felix was proud of her opponent, but shed a few tears over the loss. With this silver medal, Felix is now the most decorated America female track athlete.

4. Michelle Carter became the first American woman to win gold in the shot put

Michelle Carter owned the field event for Women’s shot put this Olympics. The champion took home bronze for the first time in United States Track and Field history. This is a HUGE deal showing that America is becoming continually diversified in their event focus thanks to amazing competitors like Carter.

When Abbey D’Agostino (USA) and Nikki Hamblin (New Zealand) collided in the women’s 5,000 meter race, they knew their chance at Olympic gold was out of sight. The two instead decided to compete with their injuries and cheered each other to the finish line. Talk about unlikely places to make friends.

6. When Katie Ledecky swept the swimming events on the first day

Ledecky claimed gold in the Women’s 200 meter, 400 meter, and 800 meter freestyle individual races along with another gold in the women’s 4x200 meter freestyle relay. Ledecky also picked up silver in the Women’s 4x100 meter freestyle relay. That’s what we call a solid year.

7. Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first woman on Team USA to compete in hijab

During a time of political turmoil that has produced a country ridden with religious tension, no American felt anything but pride when Muhammad entered the Olympic arena this summer. This woman is a professional fencer and was ranked 8th in the world. Although she did not leave with an individual medal, Team USA brought home bronze overall. We do not expect this to be Ibtihaj’s last trip to the games.

8. When Olympic athletes like Lilly King took a stand on using performance enhancing drugs

Lilly King is best known for her finger wag made toward competitor Yulia Efimova of Russia after Efimova claimed to be number one in the world after testing positive twice for illegal substances. After the incident, King was able to bring home the Olympic gold medal over Efimova in the 100 meter breastroke event. King is obviously #Winning

9. Helen Maroulis brought home Team USA’s first gold medal in Women’s wrestling

Maroulis claimed gold in the 53-kilogram weight class by demolishing the incoming favorite, Saori Yoshida. Maroulis proved that women can truly do anything they set their mind to — no matter the sport or obstacles. Maroulis also admitted that Yoshida was hard to wrestle on account of Saori Yoshida being Maroulis hero growing up. The tables have turned, but I bet Yoshida is proud of her worthy competitor.

10. Ginny Thrasher won the first gold medal of the Olympic games

Thrasher, the unexpected champion in the 10-meter air rifle event, is and American shooter. At only 19-years, Thrasher was not expected to make podium in the games. Although the young woman had made won the NCAA championships, she was aware she had some tough competition. Thrasher planned on simply doing her best at the games and she well exceeded expectations.